For more overall information about blood donation, contact:
Greater New York Hospital Association: 1-800-933-2566
American Red Cross: 1-800-HELP-NOW
New York Blood Center: 1-800-933-BLOOD

Now, this week's column...

I realized Sunday that it's been two years already...

It was two years ago on September 8, 1999, when Brian Hildebrand died after a two year
battle against cancer.

There are few people within the wrestling industry who were held in such universally high
regard at the time of their passing. When people eulogized Brian, the words they used
weren't the kind that social obligation or politeness often require. The words used by all
who knew him, worked with him, and were fans of him, were deep and heartfelt.

Mick Foley pretty much agreed when he said about Brian in his best-selling book Mankind:
Have A Nice Day: "Brian brought out all the better angels of our nature".

Back in 1999, it was said that there were only two people in the wrestling business
without enemies: Brian Hildebrand and Owen Hart.

Sadly, neither one is with us today.

Brian was such a very special person that he inspired all of us who were friends, family,
fans, or co-workers to share our feelings on such a funny, dedicated, committed individual
who has been and always will be an inspiration to live each day of our lives to their
fullest... and to follow our dreams, no matter how impossible they may seem.

As I said in the 1999 column after Brian's death...it was almost eerie, yet at the same
time totally expected, when I got the news while in a funeral home at a wake for the uncle
of a friend, after being called by a family member via cell phone.

I'll always remember Brian Hildebrand as a man who lived for and loved the wrestling
business more than anything else on this earth, except for his beloved wife Pamela. He got
to live his dream of making a living in wrestling as referee Mark Curtis for Smoky
Mountain Wrestling and World Championship Wrestling. Brian Hildebrand was a man who lived
to the last day of his life with more courage than anyone I've ever had the privilege to
know.

As most of you know, Brian fought stomach cancer for nearly two years, after being
initially diagnosed in October 1997. But he refused to allow cancer to stop his incredible
spirit and his wonderful sense of humor. He seemed amazed and somewhat embarrassed at all
the attention his battle with cancer received.

I saw Brian for the first time in 1990 during a combined Dennis Coraluzzo-Joel Goodhart
benefit show for Philadelphia area wrestling fan Tom Robinson, with Brian doing his
manager's gimmick as "Dr. Mark Curtis". Years later, I got the privilege of
finally getting to know him, meeting him just before Smoky Mountain Wrestling's Fanweek
1993. He became responsible for two of the most special experiences of my life, Fanweek
1993 and 1994.

For those who aren't familiar with them, SMW Fanweek was held for three years: 1993
through 1995. Fanweeks were a combination traveling road show, along with barbecues, shoot
Q&As, and marathon videotape parties...and just a chance to experience Southern
wrestling and mark out with other wrestling fans.

Brian Hildebrand was the reason these yearly Fanweek celebrations were possible, because
of his non-stop organizational work during the weeks leading up to them; and during the
moment to moment problems that occur when one is trying to please 55 human beings and Jim
Cornette, AND work as referee "Mark Curtis" all at the same time.

Brian always did this with such unfailing patience, good humor, never forgetting to still
be a fan of the very business he worked in. That's the reason why he always used the word
"Mark" in his ring name.

My often-told and favorite Fanweek story involves the time in August 1994 at Fanweek that
I had to go with Brian to Knoxville's West Town Mall to get Jim Cornette a new tennis
racquet (a local fan had taken it upon himself to steal Jim's racquet at a SMW house show
the night before). Brian and I went to a sporting goods store and got the racquet. The
clerk fell all over himself meeting "Mark Curtis".

I stood and watched. As the clerk rang up the purchase, he asked me "Can I help you,
sir?". I replied "I'm just here with Mr. Curtis".

We walked away into the Mall to grab lunch, and Brian asked me (referring to my keeping
kayfabe) "How in hell did you just do that?"

My reply was "Because you and Jimmy taught us to remember that your folks down here
'still believe'." It can safely be said that Brian Hildebrand did that very thing for
his entire career in the wrestling industry.

It's the reason that he was honored at the Eddie Gilbert Memorial Weekend in Philadelphia
in February 1998. He was the surprise honoree at the Gilbert Memorial Banquet on February
27, 1998. Brian had called me days before the Banquet, wondering why Jim Cornette and then
NWA-NJ promoter Dennis Coraluzzo were calling him numerous times to make sure he was
coming.

Brian said "Bob, what in hell is up here?" I replied, not wanting to ruin the
surprise, but knowing he'd smell me fudging a mile away... "Well, if you actually got
Dennis to return a phone call...if you got Corny calling that many times in a week...I'd
bring a suit... and be prepared to say something".

The tribute that Jim Cornette did for him at that Gilbert Banquet was pure Cornette,
totally irreverent as usual, but also done with a great deal of feeling.

The kind of person Brian was is also the reason that WCW honored him with a night
dedicated to him later that year on Sunday, November 29, 1998 at WCW's show in Knoxville,
Tennessee; with a still-classic match of Chris Jericho/Eddie Guerrero against Dean
Malenko/Chris Benoit... and with Ric Flair and the Four Horsemen presenting Brian with a
championship belt, then getting Brian involved in the finish to count the pin. That
Knoxville show was an event reported all over the wrestling world, and not just for the
quality of the matches.

Brian kept himself going through such sheer will and determination despite a physically
devastating form of cancer that he actually refereed a match for Southern States Wrestling
only days before his death. He had the often-expressed hope of returning to work fulltime
for WCW, and never gave up that dream.

Even after his death, Brian kept inspiring people. For the second straight year, at this
year's Brian Pillman Memorial Weekend 2001, the "Mark Curtis" Memorial Pro
Wrestling Fantasy Camp was held.

The featured trainers were were Ricky Steamboat, Terry Taylor, Bill Alfonzo, Bill
"Hugh Morris" DeMott, Les Thatcher and the stars of the Heartland Wrestling
Association; along with Les Thatcher.

Readers may find the 2000 camp experience of Liz Malone, who attended the Hildebrand
Fantasy Camp at her website dedicated to the Camp here

As the "Mark Curtis" Memorial Pro Wrestling Fantasy Camp happened that year, I
imagine that Brian was up in Heaven getting a kick out of Liz Malone, the only woman among
a group of guys, smaller than all the rest...not giving up on her dreams. No doubt, she
reminded Brian very much of himself.

While a small man in stature, Brian showed us all a giant heart that is an example for us
all. There's no doubt in my mind whatever that he would have admired it in someone like
Liz Malone. But there is little question who the person most deserving of admiration
really was.

During this year's Curtis Fantasy Camp, Brian would have especially appreciated another
moment; what friend Jeanette Gogan-Olivier described as: "...an unforgettable,
heart felt speech by Ricky Steamboat which spoke about the heart of true wrestling. Pam
Hildebrand said that Ricky's words were moving and Brian would have approved because this
was what the whole day was about, and what Brian Hildebrand was about. None of us in
attendance will ever see the business the same..."

Brian could appreciate most any style of match , but he appreciated most an old-school
attitude toward wrestling which showed respect for the business and those who make the
sacrifices to succeed in it. There's no doubt that he'd have been honored to have Ricky
Steamboat participate in anything he was associated with...and amazed at the same time to
be honored by Steamboat in an event bearing his name.

You can read the thoughts of people within wrestling about Brian...a list including Chris
Benoit, Bob Ryder, Chris Jericho, Mark Madden, Mike Johnson, Dave Meltzer, Dave Scherer,
Diamond Dallas Page, Dory and Marti Funk, and Bill Apter (as well as fans and friends of
Brian) on Jeannete Gogan-Olivier's excellent website dedicated to Brian found here.

Jeanette also mentioned recently that there will soon be a book on Brian available,
containing photos from his archives back from his days as a freelance wrestling
photographer. It's said to be packed full of photographs and memories; with quotes from
many wrestlers, and a foreword by Mick Foley.

It can be said that at the time Brian Hildebrand left this world, he knew he was loved and
respected by all within the business he himself loved so much.

Two days after Brian died, I took a trip down to the Baltimore Arena to a WCW house show.
The show began with David Pinzer announcing the news to those who hadn't read the news
online or seen the mention on Thunder. Pinzer then signaled for the traditional 10 bell
salute.

It was a special moment for the group of us that knew Brian well in attendance. Many of
those working the show wore black armbands in tribute to Brian.

Charles Robinson, who was with Brian and the family when he passed away; as well as Scott
Dickenson, were given special greeting by those of us who knew their relationship with
Brian. The group of us made sure that we gave Dickenson his traditional rib about donuts
(one that Brian gave us to get Scott with at the first Philly Monday Nitro). Our seats
were close enough that he clearly saw and heard it.

Then late in the show after a Chris Benoit-Bam Bam Bigelow US Title match, Shane Douglas,
Chris Benoit, and Dean Malenko came out in an out-of-character moment, and dedicated the
evening's show to Brian with heartfelt words for their friend.

It may have only been a WCW house show for most of the relatively small Baltimore Arena
crowd that night. But it was a way for those of us who were there together to say goodbye
to Brian in the most appropriate atmosphere possible...a wrestling show.

For those who wishing to send their thoughts to his wife Pamela on the anniversary of
Brian's passing, or to send contributions to the Brian Hildebrand Memorial Fund; you can
do so at the following address: Pamela Hildebrand-Murphy, 1351 Gentry Road, Talbott, TN
37877-9015

Rest in peace, dear friend. You are still missed more than you can ever know.